BPA-free or phenol-free thermal paper: what is the difference?

The difference lies in the colour developer in the thermal coating of the paper. In BPA-free paper, bisphenol A is not used as a colour developer; another developer, such as bisphenol S (BPS), may still be present. In phenol-free thermal paper, no phenol-based colour developers are used, so no BPA or BPS either.

From mid-July 2027 it will be compulsory to supply phenol-free throughout Europe. That applies to both paper rolls and labels.